navigators uk
The Navigators has grown out of one man’s pursuit of God. Dawson Trotman lived
in America. As he sought God, the Lord promised to build him ‘a house’. At a
time when the Christian world saw no ministry beyond evangelism, he was led to
invest deeply in the lives of the few in order that they could reach the many.
This began in the 1930s with US Navy personnel. It grew significantly through
WWII. Following the war the Navigators spread out through the world, it is now
in over 100 countries world wide. The Navigators came to the UK through the
Billy Graham crusades of the 1950s. Billy Graham, frustrated by the
unwillingness of local Christians to help those who came forwards at his
meetings, asked Dawson Trotman to develop what has since become known as
“follow-up”. The Navigators therefore supported Dr Graham in all his crusades.
During the Haringey crusades, Christians’ eyes were opened to the possibilities
of discipleship, and asked the Navigators to minister in the UK. Initially Joyce
Turner came to set up an office for materials and as she did this she also began
a ministry among women. As interest developed, more Navigators came to set up
ministries in communities and universities, which became the starting block for
the current ministry.
